Grass Fed Beef vs. Grass Finished Beef
Updated: 5 hours ago
Grass fed beef vs. grass finished beef are not the same thing. Grass fed describes what cattle eat. Grass finished describes how their lives end, and on its own it does not tell you what they ate before.
We know these claims can be super confusing. It can feel like new labels show up every time you go grocery shopping. Pre is focused on food transparency, and we are an open book, so let's break down grass fed beef vs. grass finished beef.
There are loads of labels on beef these days, and brands sometimes make up their own adjectives to stand out. That can lead to a lot of misleading information, so it helps to know what to look for.
Grass fed beef vs. grass finished beef: what does finishing mean?
All cattle begin their lives on pasture, foraging with their mothers on grass. Some are later moved to a feedlot and fed grain or grain by-products during the last months of their lives to fatten them up quickly. That is the "finishing" part. All Pre beef is finished on pasture and never in a feedlot.
What does 100% Grass-Fed & Finished mean at Pre?
We use the term 100% Grass-Fed & Finished to take away any confusion about what the cattle eat and how they are raised. Our cattle are raised on pasture year-round, and they are never finished on corn or grain by-products. A label that says only "grass finished" is not the same, because those animals could have been fed grain earlier in life.
To be clear, 100% Grass-Fed & Finished is a label claim, not a third-party certification. It goes through the USDA FSIS label-approval process, and it is backed by documentation from our supply partners, supported by their own audit programs. Non-GMO Project Verified is a third-party certification, and it is the one we carry the logo for.
What other claims are on a Pre package?
No added hormones.
No sub-therapeutic antibiotics.
Pasture-raised: all cattle are out in the fresh air, on pasture year-round with continuous, free access to grass-feeding, and never confined to a feedlot.
Non-GMO Project Verified.
Whole30 Approved®.
Certified Paleo.
Halal compliant.
No sub-therapeutic antibiotics, explained
This term can sound odd. It means animals do not receive antibiotics on a daily basis. At Pre, antibiotics are only given in the case of illness, which is rare. Our farmers keep cattle in a natural environment, so their immune systems are not constantly on the defense. If an animal does get sick, it is treated by a vet and removed from the herd. For more on every claim on our pack, read what every claim on Pre® grass-fed beef actually means.
Why it matters for the pasture and the planet
The quality of the beef and the environmental impact of cattle both come from the animal's entire life and how it is cared for. We work with farmers who practice grass feeding and finishing, which supports regenerative farming and a natural ecosystem for grazing. They abide by the internationally accepted Five Freedoms for animals. Learn more about where we source from.
Curious how grass-fed compares with organic? See grass-fed vs. organic beef. And for the fat difference you can see in the store, read the truth about steak fat.
Want the bigger picture? Read why choose Pre® Beef, learn why Pre sources from Australia and New Zealand, and see what it means to be Non-GMO Project Verified.
Still sorting through labels? Read understanding the meat label, no added antibiotics explained, and what are sub-therapeutic antibiotics?
FAQ
Is grass finished the same as grass fed?
No. Grass fed describes what cattle eat. Grass finished describes the last stretch of their lives. A label that says only "grass finished" does not tell you what the cattle ate before that.
Is 100% Grass-Fed & Finished a certification?
No. It is a label claim that goes through the USDA FSIS label-approval process and is backed by documentation from our supply partners, supported by their own audit programs. Non-GMO Project Verified is a third-party certification.
Does grass-fed mean no antibiotics?
Not on its own. That is a separate claim. On Pre packs, "no sub-therapeutic antibiotics" means animals do not receive antibiotics on a daily basis, and only receive them in the case of illness.
Where can I buy Pre 100% Grass-Fed & Finished Beef?
Pre Brands beef is a lean, High Protein, delicious way to keep dinner healthy. Use our store locator to find a store near you, browse all Pre products, or find us on Instacart. New to grass-fed? Start with Grass-Fed Beef 101.
